How to Plan the Perfect London to Paris Day Trip
Last Updated on 26th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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When planning a trip to Europe, many people try and pack a lot into the space of a few short weeks. And while many Europeans will find it normal to hop over to another country for a day trip or lunch, there are some things you’ll want to consider before taking a day trip between France and the UK. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to take a London to Paris day trip.
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Is a London to Paris day trip worth it?
I would say that, if possible, then you need to dedicate at least a handful of days per city in order to truly appreciate all that they both have to offer. However, this is obviously not always possible with time constraints and so, in these instances, then it is possible to take a London to Paris day trip.
One of the most important things to bear in mind is that the last train of the day is fairly early, meaning that you won’t be able to grab dinner in Paris on the way back.
Typically, the French dine pretty late and you need to be back at Gare du Nord at least an hour before departure in order to ensure that you get through passport control and security checks in order to board the train before departure.
How to get from London to Paris
The only convenient way to get between the UK capital and French capital during a day trip is by using the Eurostar service, a train that has run through the Channel Tunnel since the 1990s.
Pros of using the service include the fact that the train will take you from city centre to city centre (St Pancras International to Gare du Nord) in just a couple of hours. The train itself has three different tiers of seating: standard, standard premier, and business.
The difference between standard premier and standard is that standard premier is a form of premium economy, with food included. For more details, you can check out our Eurostar Standard Premier review.
Suggested itinerary for Paris
Grab a breakfast along Canal Saint Martin
Gare du Nord is located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris on the Rive Droite (right bank of the River Seine, which means to the North of the city). The area is also home to Canal Saint Martin, which is a chic and trendy district boasting its own 19th-century canal, as well as plenty of independent boutiques, and several cafés.
If you are visiting the city between Monday and Friday, then I highly recommend heading to Du Pain et des Idées. This Parisian bakery is best-known for its ‘escargot’ patisseries, which are filed with all sorts of interesting flavours such as pistachio and raspberry.
Take your pastry to go and head for a stroll along the Canal. If you’re looking for a unique souvenir from your time in Paris, then Artazart (83 Quai de Valmy) is the place to go to. They sell art prints and books, as well as other small souvenirs.
Walk/ take the metro to Le Marais
After strolling along Canal Saint Martin, you’ll want to walk via République or take the metro to Le Marais. This is an area comprising of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris. The walk from Canal Saint Martin to Le Marais is around twenty minutes.
When Haussmann overhauled the city in the mid 19th-century, Le Marais was left largely unscathed, resulting in a beautiful blend of architecture from the Middle Ages with more modern buildings.
For a greater insight into this area (as well as what to do there), here’s our free and self-guided Le Marais walking tour.
Île de la Cité
Just a quick bridge walk over the River Seine from Le Marais and visitors will find themselves on Île de la Cité. This is the largest of the islands of the Seine and boasts attractions such as Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, and plenty of quaint little streets.
Unfortunately, due to the terrible fire at Notre Dame in April of 2019, the great Gothic cathedral remains closed to the public until further notice. However, it’s still possible to see Sainte Chapelle (boasting some of the greatest medieval stained glass windows in the world) and the Conciergerie (the former prison where Marie Antoinette was held captive prior to her execution during the French Revolution).
Purchase your Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle tickets here in advance. Other places worth checking out in Île de la Cité include Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole and the Parvis Notre Dame (i.e. the square directly in front of the iconic cathedral).
Île de la Cité also holds the key to plenty of hidden gems, including a place where Heloise and Abelard are alleged to have lived, as well as the oldest hospital in Paris. In the spring, the district is one of the best places to enjoy wisteria in Paris.
Lunch
After a morning of exploration, it’s time to grab a bite to eat. Lunch in Paris can be as laid back as you would like it or, conversely, a formal two-hour long affair if you wish.
The city has changed a lot in the past two decades and these days, you’re just as likely to find a bistro with all the frills as a takeaway sandwich spot.
Île de la Cité puts you in a good spot for heading to many different kinds of foodie spots (check out our food guide to Paris here), though I personally recommend picking up something quick and light to eat so as to economise on Paris exploration time.
The café at Shakespeare and Company serves up speciality coffees, as well as light bites to eat. I also really enjoy Cosi for fresh sandwiches and soft drinks. Alternatively, head back into le Marais and grab a savoury crêpe (known as a galette) at Breizh Café or a falafel wrap to go at L’as du Fallafel.
Latin Quarter
After lunch, it’s time to continue exploring Paris and you can spend as much or as little time as you wish to visiting the Latin Quarter. If you also wish to see a museum during your time in Paris, then you’ll only want to spend an hour so experiencing the 5th arrondissement of Paris.
Otherwise, if you would prefer to see more of the exterior of Paris, then you’ll have a few hours to see the Latin Quarter. The district is so-called because, during the Middle Ages, students of the nearby Sorbonne university would have conversed with one another purely in Latin.
Today, the district remains a hub of learning, with several universities located in the arrondissement. Some of the top things to do in the Latin Quarter include visiting the iconic Shakespeare and Company, the nearby Abbey Bookshop, or heading into the Paris Panthéon. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our free and self-guided Latin Quarter walking tour.
Pick a museum to visit
With such a limited amount of time in the city you’ll want to prioritise what you see and do and only make stops at the monuments and landmarks that you’re truly interested in. Some of the most popular museums to visit in Paris include the Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre, and the Musée Rodin.
If you do visit a museum, then be sure to buy a skip-the-line ticket. Purchase your Louvre skip-the-line ticket here in advance. Alternatively, purchase your Musée d’Orsay ticket here in advance.
Arc de Triomphe or the Eiffel Tower
If time permits, then it’s time to see one of the main monument of Paris up close. I suggest seeing the Arc de Triomphe or the Eiffel Tower.
I don’t really recommend going up the Eiffel Tower for several reasons (especially if you only have a single day in Paris); none of your photos will have the Eiffel Tower in them and the queue is also extensive to go up the tower. Instead, check out our guide for the best places in Paris to see the Eiffel Tower.
Leave Paris
After a long day of exploration, it’s time to head back to Gare du Nord in order to catch your train back to London. I would recommend purchasing snacks ahead of time as the snacks in the station are a little pricey and there is limited choice available.
If the extra isn’t too much, you could alternatively opt to book the Standard Premier Eurostar tickets, which includes food and drink on the train itself.
Good to know before taking a day trip from London to Paris
There is no point in taking the plane
Almost all of London’s airports are a fair distance from the city centre and the tickets to get to and from the airport are pretty pricey, not to mention that the journey times will add a lot of time onto your already long day.
The only airport that you could consider taking a plane from when it comes to a day trip is London City Airport. However, this is pretty pricey and, with the added time for security, is also not really worth it. There will also be a train/ bus journey between one of Paris’ main airports and the city centre, adding further time onto your travel itinerary.
Take one of the first trains of the day
As I mentioned earlier, the last train from Paris to London is pretty early on in the evening and so in order to maximise the time you have in Paris, you’ll want to leave London as early as possible.
With this being said, you need to make sure that the tube service is running early enough to get to the station at least 90 minute before train departure (or set aside some money for the taxi).
Check the weather before you go
Despite only being situated a few hundred miles away from one another, the weather can vary greatly between London and Paris. You’ll want to likely pack layers such as a light jacket and umbrella, particularly if you’re visiting in the spring or autumn.
Book tickets with a skip-the-line option
As one day in Paris isn’t a lot of time to play with, you’ll want to save as much time as possible by buying tickets and time slots ahead of time should you opt to visit any ticketed attractions.
Prepare to walk a lot!
When you come to Europe, you can expect to walk a lot, and Paris is no exception. Wear comfortable footwear and avoid any high heels. After all, heels and cobblestones don’t mix very well, despite what many movies might suggest!
You’ll need travel documents
You have to go through border control to travel between the UK and France, including if you use the Eurostar service. This means that you’ll need a passport and any relevant visas if you require a visa to visit the EU.
What to wear when exploring Europe
In the summer, you can’t go wrong by pairing a cute midi dress with classic white tennis shoes for a laid-back smart casual look that’s just as chic for walking around a city’s cobbled lanes as it is for wandering coastal paths. I love this dress and have it in several colour ways. In terms of tennis shoes, this is my go-to shoe.
When it comes to winter in Europe, most places (with the exception of a few islands) can get pretty cold and so warm layers is a must. I find that cute ankle boots like these ones are the perfect mix of practical meets cute.
Shoulder seasons (spring and summer) in Europe tend to come with a mix of rainy and sunny days and so, again, layers are a must. Trench coats and sneakers are the best uniform to explore the continent in.
Finally, a cross-body bag like these ones is a must. I personally use a crossbody bag by this brand and love its shape, size, and versatility. As well as being convenient and compact, it’s one of the safest ways to transport your valuables, all the while looking chic. I also recommend bringing along a travel adapter like this one so you can charge all of your electronics during your stay!
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